IMG_3738Malcolm, my son in the middle, has consistently been the most thoughtful and caring of my three sons.  He is aware of how you are feeling and how others make you feel; which does not mean he will act upon what he sees, for he has a stubborn introverted personality. However, his random acts of kindness and understanding when you least expect it, have always been a bright spot of pride for me.

On Monday, while taxiing the  kids to their various schools, I mentioned off hand “to look in your closets tonight for something red to wear on Wednesday in support of women.”

“Mom, why red and why are we supporting women,” Wheels asked, always first with a question.

“Well hon, currently women are having to fight to keep some of their rights they have earned and also across our country women generally get paid less than men simply for being a woman.  Not to mention some men think they can do anything they want to women because they ‘own’ them or are better than them,” I explained as simply as I could to a 7 and 5 year old.

“So, equality?” asked Wheels.

“Simply, yes.”

Feeling satisfied in my explanation of the cause and proud my boys got it, I let the peacefulness resonate throughout the car. I did gooood.  I am passing on the power of both women and fighting for what you believe you in to my young boys.  Molding them into men, respectful of women.  Chivalry with a modern twist.  A deep exhale emanated from my chest when a little voice rose…

“Eh, I know women aren’t equal to me. Never will be,” Malcolm matter of factually mused while calmly gazing out the window.

BOOOOOOM!

My mind was blown. What did he say? NO… not him. I looked back through the rear view mirror and Wheels was peaking from behind the middle row looking into my eyes and gesturing his head toward Malcolm who was still staring out the window.  Ok. Ok. Stay cool.  Don’t blow.  Ask what he meant and I am sure there is a simple explanation. One way better than my sweet little thoughtful guy is a hidden male chauvinist!

We pulled into his preschool parking lot, I turned to face him and calmly asked him to explain.

His voice spouted in an eye rolling duh tone, “Mom, none of the girls run faster than me at my school. I don’t think they are smarter than me either. I don’t even know what women do.  I just think I, and all boys, are better!”

Then it happened.  A tense silence filled the car.  Stewey stopped sucking his pacifier, Wheels ducked down hiding completely from view, and I could feel my eyes grow wild, wide, twitching with the new knowledge of my son’s honesty and ignorance. His impending doom was mine… mine alone… my precious.  And I will deal with him as I see fit!

I closed my eyes and said, “On Wednesday, you will learn what women do.  Allll day. Your job will be mine. You,” my finger coming up in a severe point, “will do everything, and you, will acknowledge every woman in your life on that day and thank them. I haven’t thought it all up yet, but I will.  By the time you get home from school!” I leaned toward him still pointing, “Come Wednesday, be prepared.”

Wheels interrupted, “Hey! Hey! That is just him, right ? Not me.  I love women! They are so beautiful and magical! I love them!”

“Wheels, that comment is barely a step above what Malcolm said! Yes, this goes for you too. Magical!? Now go to school!”

On International Women’s Day, I never worked so hard at not working.  Those boys wore red, extracted Stewey from his crib, changed his diapers, dressed him, made his breakfast first, then made theirs, made their own lunch and checked their bags, made my coffee, fed Bert, instructed me on driving directions to their schools, took a red flower to each of their teachers and gymnastics teachers with a ribbon attached that said “Thank you in honor of a day without Women,” made dinner and dessert, read Stewey books for bed, and cleaned their bathroom. I was exhausted!

While tucking them into bed separately, I told them how proud I was of their being a “woman”. I explained, Even though you may not fully understand what today was about, understand this, your entire day was filled with only women contributing to your academic, athletic, and societal success.  Eighty-fiveish percent of your future education, will be provided to you by gracious women. You don’t have to understand it all, but just recognize how women shape you and your dreams.